Electronic video gambling device with player controlled amusement feature

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for playing wagering games on an electronic video gaming device in which a player controls an amusement feature of the device by use of a pointing device, such as a trackball. In an exemplary currently preferred embodiment of the invention, the electronic video gaming device comprises a virtual reel video type slot machine including reel symbols or indicia pertaining to a bowling theme, and the amusement feature comprises an electronic video simulation of at least a portion of a bowling frame, in which the player at least partially controls a position of a video representation of a bowling ball by use of a trackball pointing device. Preferably, the amusement feature becomes operative only under certain predetermined or randomly determined conditions, such as when a player obtains one of one or more predetermined winnings of reel symbols operative to initiate a bonus opportunity. The player control input in connection with the amusement feature may be solely for player amusement and have no actual effect on the outcome of any player wager, or may alternatively control, or at least partially control, the outcome of at least a portion of the play on the electronic video gaming device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to wagering games, and moreparticularly pertains to wagering games of the type played in casinos onan electronic video gaming device.

[0002] A wide variety of electronic arcade games and gases adapted forplay on personal computers include an input device such as a trackball,joystick, mouse, light gun, tough screen, etc. to enable a player tomake control inputs that affect events displayed on an electronic videoscreen. For example, players of an arcade game known as “MissileCommand” use a trackball to attempt to shoot down electronicrepresentations of incoming enemy missiles displayed on video screen.

[0003] Video bowling games for personal computers, such as a sharewaregame known as WINBOWL, are also known, in which a player sues a controlinput, a computer mouse for example, to control the path of a videorepresentation of a bowling ball down a video representation of abowling lane. Examples of online virtual bowling games for personalcomputers may be played on the Internet athttp://www.brunswickbowling.com/html/game.html andhttp://207.69.132.225/games/bowling/bowl.htm

[0004] A slot machine known as “Casino Bowling” developed by AnchorGaming and International Game Technology includes a bonus feature themedaround traditional bowling that is achieved when a player lines up threebowling symbols on the game's payline. The bonus feature encouragesplayers to hit a “roll the ball” button on the game's console, whichtriggers the game's version of a rolled ball in a bowling alley. A winamount obtained by a player corresponds to their total bowling score.Players who roll a perfect “300” score win a bonus jackpot. The gameallows players to experience rolling a simulated bowling ball down alane and “exploding” bowling pins, which results in a strike, spare,split, or open frame.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention provides a method and apparatus for playingwagering games on an electronic video gaming device in which a playercontrols an amusement feature of the device by use of a pointing device,such as a trackball. In an exemplary currently preferred embodiment ofthe invention, the electronic video gaming device comprises a virtualreel video type slot machine including reel symbols or indiciapertaining to a bowling theme, and the amusement feature comprises anelectronic video simulation of at least a portion of a bowling frame, inwhich the player at least partially controls a position of a videorepresentation of a bowling ball by use of a trackball pointing device.Preferably, the amusement feature is associated with a bonus event thatbecomes operative only under certain predetermined or randomlydetermined conditions, such as when a player obtains one or one or morepredetermined winning combinations of reel symbols operative to initiatea bonus opportunity. The player control input in connection with theamusement feature may be solely for player amusement and have no actualeffect on the outcome of any player wager, or may alternatively control,or at least partially control, the outcome of at least a potion of theplay on the electronic video gaming device.

[0006] These and various other advantages and features of novelty whichcharacterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in theclaims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a betterunderstanding of the invention, it advantages, and the objects obtainedby its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form afurther part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, inwhich there is illustrated and described preferred embodiments of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007]FIG. 1 is a front view of an electronic video gambling deviceaccording to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0008]FIG. 2 is a partial front perspective detail view illustratingplayer control and video screen components of the electronic videogambling device shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, an electronic video gamblingdevice 10 according to an example preferred embodiment of the inventionincludes a vertically upstanding housing 12 having an electronic videodisplay screen 14. The device 10 may have the same general configurationas depicted in U.S. Design Pat. No. 395,463, the entire disclosure ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference. The device 10 includesgenerally conventional coin 16 and bill 18 acceptors operative toreceive coins, tokens, and bills for the purpose of permitting playersto place monetary wages in connection with play of a gambling game onthe device 10. As is generally well known in virtual reel types ofelectronic gaming devices, the gambling device 10 preferably includes anLCD display or counter 20 operative to display an accounting of creditsaccumulated by the insertion of coins, tokens, or bills by a player intothe acceptors 16 and 18. The electronic gambling device 10 preferablyalso includes a chip or token return tray 22 for the purpose ofdispensing chips, coins, or tokens to a winning player during play of agambling game on the device 10.

[0010] The gambling device 10 also preferably includes a plurality ofplayer actuated push buttons 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, and 36 to permit aplayer to select a wager amount, begin play of the game, cash outremaining credits, and to control other aspects of game play. In apreferred embodiment of a bowling theme virtual reel type slot machineaccording to the present invention, the control buttons preferably havethe following functions:

[0011] “How to Play” button 24, when actuated, causes to appear on avideo display a partible of possible awards and their values, the rulesof the game, and instructions on how to play the game.

[0012] “Bet 1 Per Line” button 26, which wagers one coin on each payline(there are 8 paylines in the example 3×3 game format) and whichinitiates play.

[0013] “Bet 2 Per Line” button 28, which wagers two coins on eachpayline and initiates play.

[0014] “Bet 3 Per Line” button 30, which wages three coins on eachpayline and initiates play.

[0015] “Bet 4 Per Line” button 32, which wagers four coins on eachpayline and initiates play.

[0016] “Bet MAX” button 34, which wages the maximum amount of coins oneach payline and initiates play.

[0017] PLAY—begins play of the game.

[0018] The invention contemplates that other common formats may beutilized, such as a 9 coin per line maximum wager utilizing the buttons“Bet 1 Per Line”—“Bet 2 Per Line”—“Bet 3 Per Line”—“Bet 5 Per Line”—andthe “Bet MAX” button (in this instance 9 per line).

[0019] The gambling device 10 may also include a touch screen controlhaving a plurality of regions designated for controlling wager amountsand other aspects of play of the gambling device 10. Such touch screencontrol may be provided in addition to the control buttons, or as analternative thereto, or the gambling device 10 may be controlled by acombination of push buttons and touch screen regions. as a furtheradditional or alternative mechanism for permitting a player to enter acontrol input, the gambling device 10 may include a handle 40 forinitiating play of the gambling game after the placement of a wager. Thehandle 40 is preferably an alternative to initiating play of the game bydepressing the control button 36.

[0020] Preferably, the gambling device 10 is a computer operated deviceincluding, without limitation, a CPU, system bus, RAM, ROM, and harddrive components (not shown), of the same general type as described inU.S. Pat. No. 5,971,851, the entire disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

[0021] The gambling device 10, in the illustrated bowling themeembodiment, includes suitable software and/or firmware operative tocause a so-called “virtual reel” display comprising a matrix of threehorizontal rows 42, 44, and 46 and three vertical columns 48, 50, and 52forming nine square display regions operative to display bowling relatedsymbols or indicia such as “Strike Bonus,” “Spare Bonus,” andrepresentations of bowling pins. The gambling device 10 may additionallydisplay certain non-bowling related symbols, such as the number “7.”

[0022] The gambling device 10 is preferably operative to permit a playerto “spin” one or more of the nine square display regions throughsuitable software and/or firmware. The “spinning” capability of the“virtual reels” may vary within the scope of the present invention. Forexample, a player might be able to selectively “spin” one or more of thenine square regions on an individually selected basis.

[0023] Alternatively, a player might be able to selectively “spin” oneor more of the horizontal rows 42, 44, and 46. In still anotheralternative, a player might be able to “spin” one or more of thehorizontal rows 42, 44 and 46. In still another alternative, a playermight be able to “spin” one or more of the vertical columns 48, 50, and52. It should be understood that although the preferred embodiment hasbeen illustrated with a three-by-three “virtual reel” matrix, greater orfewer horizontal rows and/or vertical columns may be provided within thescope of the invention. Further, non-rectangular arrays of game symbolssuch as circles, hexagons, random patterns, etc. may be utilized.

[0024] Various wager opportunities and associated winning conditions forplay of the gambling game 10 may be utilized. For example, a playermight be afforded an opportunity to place one, two, or three wages inorder to play row 42 only, or rows 42 and 44, or rows 42, 44, and 46.The potential winning amounts are preferably greater for play ofmultiple rows. Alternatively, or additionally, players may be affordedthe opportunity to wager on one or more of the vertical columns 48, 50,and 52, or might be afforded an opportunity to wager on the occurrenceof a particular symbol in a particular square within the matrix.

[0025] In accordance with the invention, one or more regions of thevideo display screen 14 are operative to display a video representationof at least one bonus event upon occurrence of one or more bonus eventtriggering conditions). In the illustrated example preferred embodiment,the bonus event comprises at least a portion of a bowling theme. Thebonus event representations may be displayed on an upper portion of thevideo screen 1 4, above the central virtual reel display, or mayalternatively be displayed centrally, in place of the virtual reeldisplay. In accordance with the example bowling theme embodiment, thebonus event includes video representations of at least one bowling lane61, at least one bowling ball 62, and an array of bowling pins 64.

[0026] The bonus event triggering conditions are preferablypredetermined combinations of bowling theme symbols in alignment in oreor more rows or columns. Further, more than one bonus event, triggeredby different conditions, and with different potential winningopportunities might be provided. For example, alignment of three “StrikeBonus” symbols in a single row might trigger a “spare bonus” event, andalignment of three “Spare Bonus” symbols in a single row might trigger a“spare bonus” event. Further, the gambling device 10 might be programmedsuch that the “strike bonus” event occurs with less frequency and has ahigher potential winning amount than a “spare bonus” event. The bonusevent may be associated with an optional or mandatory additional wager,or may require or permit no further wages beyond those initially placedfor play of the game. Also, the payoffs for the bonus event(s) may befixed amounts, a fixed multiple of a wager, a progressive jackpot, arandomly determined amount, or a percentage of a progressive jackpot.Further, the bonus event(s) may have multiple potential payoff amountsthat depend upon results obtained by a player in the bonus event.

[0027] As an alternative to randomly occurring predetermined winningconditions, the bonus activating or trigger event may be a predeterminedplayer controlled condition, such as placement of a certain wager orcertain combinations of wagers.

[0028] In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, theelectronic gambling device 10 includes a control input, such as atrackball 38 mounted on a horizontally extending front support platform39, to permit a player to make a control input that at least partiallycontrols the video representation associated with the bonus event. Inthe illustrated embodiment, a player may manipulate the trackball 39 tocontrol the position of the bowling ball 62 on the lane 61. In addition,or alternatively, the trackball 38 may permit a player to controltiming, release point, hook, and speed of the ball 62. The presentinvention contemplates that the control input through the trackball 38may be solely for player amusement and have no actual effect on theoutcome of the bonus event or any player wager, or may alternativelycontrol, or at least partially control, the outcome of at least aportion of the play on the electronic video gaming device 1 0. Inaccordance with the currently preferred embodiment of the invention, theplayer control input thought the trackball 38 is operative to controlonly the video representation of the ball 62, and has no effect on theoutcome of the bonus event or any other player wager. In this manner,the gambling device 1 0 affords a player amusement feature, while at thesame time maintaining compliance of the device 10 with odds-based payoffstatistics that would be upset by a skill-based effect of player bowlingball manipulation on wagering outcomes. Further, the player controlinput may control only a portion of the video representation associatedwith the bonus event, and may have no effect on the actual outcome ofthe video representation. For example, the trackball 38 may control theinitial position of release of the bowling ball, but have no effect onhow many pins fall.

[0029] As an alternative to the trackball 38, or in combinationtherewith, other player control input mechanisms may be employed such asa computer mouse, touch screen light pen or gun, joystick, steeringwheel, pedals, buttons, etc. Further, although the present invention hasbeen illustrated and described with reference to a bowling themeembodiment, the teaching and concepts of the invention may beimplemented in connection with various other themes, such as race carthemes, shooting gallery themes, hunting themes, trap shooting themes,sailing themes, tennis themes, golf themes, baseball themes, footballthemes, soccer themes, hockey themes, basketball themes, horseshoesthemes, horse racing themes, etc.

[0030] It is to be understood, however, that even though numerouscharacteristics and advantages of the present invention have been setforth in foregoing description, together with details of the structureand function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, andchanges may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size andarrangement of parts or types of material within the principles of theinvention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning ofthe terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

[0031] While the present invention has been particularly shown anddescribed with reference to the preferred mode as illustrated in thedrawing, it will be understood by one skilled in the art that variouschanges in detail may be effected therein without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. In combination with an electronic video gamingdevice including a video screen and means for playing a wagering game, aplayer amusement feature comprising: means for producing a visualamusement display on said video screen; and a control input deviceoperative on player manipulation to at least partially control saidvisual amusement display.
 2. The combination of claim 1 , wherein saidmeans for producing a visual amusement display on said video screen isoperative to produce said visual amusement display only under certainconditions.
 3. The combination of claim 2 , wherein said certainconditions are predetermined.
 4. The combination of claim 2 , whereinsaid certain conditions are randomly determined.
 5. The combination ofclaim 2 , wherein said certain conditions are predetermined and occur ona random basis.
 6. The combination of claim 2 , wherein said certainconditions are at least partial winning conditions of said wageringgame.
 7. The combination of claim 2 , wherein said certain conditionsare bonus winning conditions of said wagering game.
 8. The combinationof claim 2 , wherein said certain conditions are bonus opportunityconditions of said wagering game.
 9. The combination of claim 1 ,wherein player input to said control input device at least partiallydetermines the outcome of at least a portion of said wagering game. 10.The combination of claim 1 , wherein player input to said control inputdevice has no effect on the outcome of said wagering game.
 11. Thecombination of claim 1 , wherein said visual amusement display comprisesa visual representation of an event determining the outcome of at leasta portion of said wagering game.
 12. The combination of claim 11 ,wherein player manipulation of said control input device does not affectthe outcome of said visual representation of said event.
 13. Thecombination of claim 11 , wherein player manipulation of said controlinput device determines the outcome of said visual representation ofsaid eve nt.
 14. The combination of claim 11 , wherein said eventcomprises at least a portion of a bowling frame.
 15. The combination ofclaim 14 , wherein player manipulation of said control input devicedetermines an initial position of a visual representation of a bowlingball.
 16. The combination of claim 14 , wherein player manipulation ofsaid control input device determines at least one rolling condition of avisual representation of a bowling ball on a visual representation of abowling lane.
 17. The combination of claim 16 , wherein said at leastone rolling condition comprises rolling release time.
 18. Thecombination of claim 16 , wherein said at least one rolling conditioncomprises degree of hook.
 19. The combination of claim 16 , wherein saidat least one rolling condition comprises direction of hook.
 20. Thecombination of claim 16 , wherein said at least one rolling conditioncomprises approach position.
 21. The combination of claim 16 , whereinsaid at least one rolling condition comprises lane condition.
 22. Thecombination of claim 1 , wherein said electronic gaming device comprisesa virtual reel type slot machine.
 23. The combination of claim 22 ,wherein said virtual reel type slot machine includes reel symbols orindicia pertaining to a bowling theme.
 24. The combination of claim 23 ,wherein said amusement feature comprises an electronic video simulationof at least a portion of a bowling frame.
 25. A method of playing anelectronic video wagering game, comprising the steps of: providing anelectronic video gaming device including a video screen and means forplaying a wagering game, means for producing a player amusement featureincluding a visual amusement display on said video screen, and a controlinput device operative on player manipulation to at least partiallycontrol said visual amusement display; affording a player an opportunityto place at least one wager to participate in said wagering game;activating said player amusement feature upon occurrence of a bonusactivation condition during play of said wagering game; and affording aplayer an opportunity to at least partially control said visualamusement display by manipulation of said control input device.
 26. Themethod of claim 25 , wherein said certain conditions are predetermined.27. The method of claim 25 , wherein said certain conditions arerandomly determined.
 28. The method of claim 25 , wherein said certainconditions are predetermined and occur on a random basis.
 29. The methodof claim 25 , wherein said certain conditions are at least partialwinning conditions of said wagering game.
 30. The method of claim 25 ,wherein said certain conditions are bonus winning conditions of saidwagering game.
 31. The method of claim 25 , wherein said certainconditions are bonus opportunity conditions of said wagering game. 32.The method of claim 25 , wherein player input to said control inputdevice at least partially determines the outcome of at least a portionof said wagering game.
 33. The method of claim 25 , wherein player inputto said control input device has no effect on the outcome of saidwagering game.
 34. The method of claim 25 , wherein said visualamusement display comprises a visual representation of an eventdetermining the outcome of at least a portion of said wagering game. 35.The method of claim 34 , wherein player manipulation of said controlinput device does not affect the outcome of said visual representationof said event.
 36. The method of claim 34 , wherein player manipulationof said control input device determines the outcome of said visualrepresentation of said event.
 37. The method of claim 34 , wherein saidevent comprises at least a portion of a bowling frame.
 38. The method ofclaim 37 , wherein player manipulation of said control input devicedetermines an initial position of a visual representation of a bowlingball.
 39. The method of claim 37 , wherein player manipulation of saidcontrol input device determines an initial position of a visualrepresentation of a bowling ball.
 40. The method of claim 39 , whereinsaid at least one rolling condition comprises rolling release time. 41.The method of claim 39 , wherein said at least one rolling conditioncomprises degree of hook.
 42. The method of claim 39 , wherein said atleast one rolling condition comprises direction of hook.
 43. The methodof claim 39 , wherein said at least one rolling condition comprisesapproach position.
 44. The method of claim 39 , wherein said at leastone rolling condition comprises lane condition.
 45. The method of claim25 , wherein said electronic gaming device comprises a virtual reel typeslot machine.
 46. The method of claim 45 , wherein said virtual reeltype slot machine includes reel symbols or indicia pertaining to abowling theme.
 47. The method of claim 46 , wherein said amusementfeature comprises an electronic video simulation of at least a portionof a bowling frame.